Starting an "evil-characters" campaign in FR

[marune]

Hi, I'm planning to run a new campaign in the FR...

At the end of 2E and for first years of 3E I ran a single player game where the main character was an "assassin". Now, I feel ready to handle a group of 4 evil characters in this new campaign. I got the idea to start them at level 3, giving them a little background, and make them all related to an evil organization. Some could be active member, others traitors, etc...

The PCs :
A 3rd level human rogue, rank&file member of the shadow thieves.
A 1st level drow wizard from the house Jaelre in Cormanthor.
A 1st level rogue Fey'ri
A 3rd level monk from the Monks of the long deah order.

The campaign will be based on the return of the shadow thieves to Waterdeep; the PCs initially recruited by Marune, a high level Wizard living in a hidden fortress near Waterdeep and planning this return for so many years. (From City of Splendor)

The first adventure : the PCs are sent after a minor artefact (a Demonstone from BOVD) in possession of a Sharess Cleric in Waterdeep.

Any advices, comments and ideas are welcome.

 

[Eremite]

I assume the drow and the fey'ri have joined the Shadow Thieves but am wondering about the "membership status" of the monk? More particularly, is he beholden to the Monks of the Long Death and, if so, what is their goal for him in allowing him to mix with the STs?

Personally, I wouldn't have the PCs as active agents of the STs in Waterdeep while they are such low level. Why not start them out in one of the nearby villages or towns, say, Amphail or Daggerford, where they are charged with establishing an initial foothold for the STs? Of course, this doesn't stop them from accepting a "recovery" mission to Waterdeep as you have outlined in your post.

IMO, a character as powerful as Marune would not entrust the retaking of Waterdeep to novice adventurers. However, starting small as suggested and then building up to assassinations of key Guard captains and members of the Lords' Alliance not only provides a series of adventures to embark upon but builds the PCs' credibility within the ST organisation.

 

[soulcat]

Skullport is a great area to use in Fr evil campaigns. It is conveniently placed below Waterdeep, and full of bad guys.

I have an evil campaign in Skullport due to start in about two months.

With and Evil group it is generally a good idea to give them external motivation. If you let them motivate themselves then they will end up arguing and fighting. Make them scared of someone, or owe someone or both. Or show them a possible reward, and make it clear that they are going to need to work together to get it.

If they get too overtly evil, don't be afraid to slap them down a bit. It'll be better for the group in the long run. You don't want them thinking its okay to murder rape and pillage every day, cos that ain't gonna work at those levels.

Don't forget, there's always a bigger bad guy, and he's almost never their friend.

My campaign is actually going to start with the group working indirectly for the temple of Elistrae in Skullport. Not cos they like good Drow, but because they are being paid by an anonymous benefactor. At the same time, all there associates have just been wiped out in an attack on there favourite bar.

Where they go from there is their story, and even I don't know. Of course I have a few ideas.

 

[marune]

Hmm, I'll explain some details..

I assume the drow and the fey'ri have joined the Shadow Thieves but am wondering about the "membership status" of the monk? More particularly, is he beholden to the Monks of the Long Death and, if so, what is their goal for him in allowing him to mix with the STs?

In facts, the rogue doesn't know that he's a member of the ST. The monk is a problem, I'm still thinking about it.

Personally, I wouldn't have the PCs as active agents of the STs in Waterdeep while they are such low level. Why not start them out in one of the nearby villages or towns, say, Amphail or Daggerford, where they are charged with establishing an initial foothold for the STs? Of course, this doesn't stop them from accepting a "recovery" mission to Waterdeep as you have outlined in your post.

Like I say, they don't know that are working for the ST. In facts, they will start in the very small town of Rassalantar, 40 miles north of Waterdeep.

IMO, a character as powerful as Marune would not entrust the retaking of Waterdeep to novice adventurers. However, starting small as suggested and then building up to assassinations of key Guard captains and members of the Lords' Alliance not only provides a series of adventures to embark upon but builds the PCs' credibility within the ST organisation.

In facts, I'm thinking that Marune could logically recruit many different groups that don't know about each others and ask them to accomplish some goals that first appear strange, but necessary in his grand scheme to return to Waterdeep. With all the magic items and the gold he has in his hidden lair, he can afford this costly strategy. (He won't reveal lot about himself to the PCs, making impossible to them to "help" the authorities locate him)